I hate this feeling…

It's happened and I'm not even back in Germany yet. My guard has gone up, I have had to take my shorts and flip flops off, and put my armour on.

We had a most relaxing Christmas holiday down under. Shorts, t-shirts, flip flops and smiles were what we wore. We were greeted with polite "hellos" and smiles from all. I even grew to like the fact that the Aussies shorten everything and add an "ie" to it. Example; pressie, chrissie, sandie, you get the idea. They do this because they are easy going and laid back people, people who live for the sun, the surf, a good barbie and a good beer.

But things changed in Dubai, not really in Dubai, but waiting to catch the last portion of our flight, the portion home to Germany that I saw the change.

As we boarded the bus to transport us to the plane, people became very, well let's just say "pushy" and "aggressive". No "excuse me" no "I'm sorry". I realized that I had to change out of my proverbial flip flops fast, for my toes were getting stepped on, and it hurt.

I can say with all honesty, that 90% of German's do not intend to be rude or to upset people with their very forward and abrasive approach to life. Of course there are a few, just like many Americans or for that matter any other nationality, that are just plain rude, but for the majority, that is just the way it is. I worry though, I worry that one day my sweet American nature may just get pushed a little too hard, or a little too far, let's say during an extreme case of jet-lag, and simply snap and really tell someone off, and I don't want to do that. I want to be the gracious guest in my host country so I will continue to smile, wave, and be as polite as my mother taught me to be, and while they probably think that I am crazy…wave by wave and smile by smile, hopefully one day I will break through!

16 comments:

Dena - Welcome back and Happy New Year! I have been meaning to tell you for such a long time - that I truly love reading your blog. I "get it" 100% of the time -and usually find myself nodding along as I read it..."yes, that's exactly right!" You are such a fun, positive person and it shows in your writing.

Stopping in to say hi and follow you from the Monday Mingle. I just discovered your little part of the blogging world and am madly deeply in love. Oh to travel and tell the tales... sounds like you are holding up pretty well for such drastic cultural changes.

If you're up for a bit of a ride, come join me at Local Sugar Hawaii . We're riding this silly little wave called life, together. You're welcome. Anytime.

It's interesting to read your experience of different cultural mannerisms, because I (like some other Brits I know) can come across as stand-offish, but that's just the British way. Sometimes I wonder whether Americans are being serious or sarcastic when they are being so sweet and polite, but again that's just the American way! It takes some adjusting.

Also, I find it funny because I notice a lot of American words have 'ie' at the end - movie, baggie, cookie, poopy (compared to the UK: film, bag, biscuit, and er, poo).

It's a happy medium isn't it? Americans can be taken as fake with a "let's do lunch" attitude...that I sure don't like. Love the different words too. Funny, it's all English with our own spin on it.Thanks for stopping by!

Oh goodness, I definitely know the pushy culture. When I lived in China, I learned very quickly that lines were not a part of the culture and everyone always tried to push their way to the front. Most days I could just ignore it but some of those mornings when I was hungover and trying to catch the bus for work, all those pushy people were just the worst!

Hi Dena - just stopping over from one of your comments on my blog and glad I found you. I SO can relate to what you wrote here. And I AM German. But choose to no longer live there because I've since become an American, and the rude people were a big part of that. You're right, they don't really mean to be rude, that is just how they are. And try as you might, you will slowly be sucked into it and become like that, or at least you will if you are a German, so I typically can't stand to be in Germany for too long. Do they realize that in most of the rest of the world (especially the English speaking world) people are so much nicer? And that it doesn't hurt at all to be nice, on the contrary? I sometimes think it's embedded into the language. I find myself being much less friendly when I even just speak German. And I'm forever uncomfortable with the formal "you" and calling everyone Mr. and Mrs., even if they are your own age. Once you've been in a first name frame of mind you can never really go back to that. It just seems too weird.

Loved that you found me and sure hope to never offend anyone by my posts. I find that once you have made friends with a German, you have a friend for life and that they are straight forward which is a plus. It is an amazing country to live in just a bit challanging at times!

Hi What part of Scotland are you going to be in. I have been there a couple times. Love it. I found you through the blog hop. Please stop by and say hi when you get a chance. .Be sure and check out my new Blog Hop that started. It's Weekly Goals Link Up. It's a great way to stay on track. Have a great day. :) Now following you.

Here's the link for it if you would like to check it out. http://lenettacarnes.blogspot.com/2013/01/weekly-goals-linkup-1.html